★USA
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Trump Sends Tougher Iran Deal Proposal, Demands Key Revisions
US media and officials reported that President Donald Trump has sent Iran a revised, stricter proposal for a potential deal aimed at ending the war, tightening conditions on uranium enrichment, nuclear restrictions, and the Strait of Hormuz. The updated draft has been returned to Tehran for review, triggering a new round of negotiations expected to last several days, with both sides still far from agreement.
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★IRAN
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Iranian Adviser Says Trump “Betrays Diplomacy” as US Signals Military Readiness
An adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader said US President Donald Trump is “betraying diplomacy” by maintaining a maritime blockade and advancing what he called excessive demands in negotiations. The remarks came as US officials reiterated readiness to resume military operations if necessary, while insisting that any agreement with Iran must fully meet Washington’s conditions.
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Iran Mandates Prior Approval for Strait of Hormuz Transit
Iran announced that all vessels crossing the Strait of Hormuz must obtain prior authorization from the Revolutionary Guard’s navy and adhere to designated shipping routes, warning that non-compliant ships could face serious security consequences. Tehran said management of the strategic waterway falls entirely under the authority of its armed forces.
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Iran Says It Downed U.S. MQ-1 Drone Sunday
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said it downed a U.S. MQ-1 drone over Iranian territorial waters early Sunday, asserting full control of its maritime domain and warning that any aggression would be met with a firm response.
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★LEBANON
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Israel Expands Southern Lebanon Operations, Claims Control of Beaufort Castle Area
The Israeli army said it launched a wide operation in the Beaufort Castle (Al-Shqif) heights and the Wadi al-Saluki area in southern Lebanon, aiming to destroy Hezbollah infrastructure and strengthen operational control near the border. It said ground forces, backed by heavy air and artillery strikes, crossed deeper into Lebanese territory amid ongoing clashes with Hezbollah.
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Israel Escalates Southern Lebanon Strikes as Hezbollah Resists Advance
Israel intensified air and artillery strikes in southern Lebanon as Hezbollah said it has been resisting Israeli attempts to advance toward villages near Nabatieh since Tuesday. Both sides reported ongoing clashes, with Israel issuing evacuation warnings and expanding operations, while Hezbollah claimed it repelled incursions and fired rockets at northern Israeli towns.
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Israel Closes Northern Schools After Hezbollah Attacks
Israel suspended classes in communities near the Lebanese border after intensified Hezbollah rocket and drone attacks over the weekend. The military tightened restrictions across northern areas, while air defenses intercepted multiple projectiles. No injuries were reported, as tensions continued to rise alongside expanded Israeli military operations in southern Lebanon.
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★IRAQ
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Kataib Hezbollah Rejects Disarmament During Rising U.S. Pressure on Iraq
Kataib Hezbollah, an Iran-aligned Iraqi armed group, said it will continue operating despite growing U.S. pressure on Baghdad to restrict militia weapons. The group reiterated its refusal to disarm under foreign pressure, while tensions persist over Iraq’s push to place all arms under state control amid ongoing regional conflict and U.S. military presence.
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★THE GULF
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Qatar Rejects Use of Sea Lanes as Political Leverage
Qatar’s Minister of State for Defense Affairs said maritime routes should not be used as tools of political pressure, warning that tensions have cut traffic through the Strait of Hormuz by 80%. He stressed that protecting commercial shipping and safeguarding maritime security are shared global priorities.
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Oman Attracts $1 Billion Lithium Battery Materials Project
Oman has launched a $1 billion project to produce lithium-ion battery anode materials in Sohar Freezone, led by a Chinese company. The facility, with a planned annual capacity of 200,000 tons, aims to strengthen Oman’s role in global clean-energy supply chains and attract advanced manufacturing investments.
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★ Disclaimer: This publication is a digest of various news sources compiled by the Early Phoenix team and edited by Rania Kisar. The items are curated, concise summaries of news items hyperlinked within each story. The items and summaries presented do not necessarily represent the views of the American Center for Levant Studies.
